Undergraduate Ethnomusicology
Undergraduates as well as postgraduates engage in a diversity of ethnomusicology-related activity in and beyond the Department of Music. Here´s an introduction to undergraduate ethnomusicology activities at the University of Sheffield, interspersed with thoughts from current and recent undergraduates.
"[Ethnomusicology at Sheffield] was one of the reasons I chose to come to the university. . . It is a very valuable subject as it allows one to think about lots of issues that you might not be able to or don´t have the chance to do in Western classical subjects."
"A different view of music to what I was used to before I came here."
"Broadening horizons musically and personally – encouraging to look at and also become involved in the wider musical communities and musical groups in Sheffield, using this as the basis of study; it´s a unique, involving, exciting and challenging prospect."
Undergraduate ethnomusicology modules
"I think the group work is exciting and makes it easier to have discussions and feel more confident in class. The lectures are always well thought about (planned) and are balanced between theory and practical."
Undergraduate level modules range from introductory surveys of musical cultures of the world to modules on specific regions and topics, including musics of India, East Asia and Africa, and music and health. There are also world music performance modules each year, and you can choose to focus on ethnomusicology in the final year in a recital, dissertation or composition. If you choose every option, you can take about 3/4 of your degree in world music.
Fieldwork
"I think the fieldwork is a good way to approach the proper job of an ethnomusicologist because you have the chance to experiment on your own and to see the real problems of doing it."
As part of modules and in preparation for ethnomusicology dissertations, undergraduate students engage in fieldwork on local and global musical cultures. Recent fieldwork projects have focused on the following music groups and topics, among others:
- Does Sheffield University’s Samba Bateria play samba music?
- Singer-songwriters in Sheffield
- The salsa music and dance scene in Sheffield
- Perspectives on music amongst the Sheffield Muslim community
- Ballroom and sequence dancing at Sheffield City Hall
- Intercultural learning in SOSA-XA!, a Sheffield-based Southern African choir
- Popular Zimbabwean music in Sheffield
- Participation and musical practice in the Sangano music ensemble at the University of Sheffield
- Sitar performance in Leeds
- How music affects faith at two Sheffield churches
- Choir music at St. Mark’s Broomhill Church
- Ceilidhs in Sheffield
- Music and asylum seekers: A case study of the Liberian choir Zeela
- Bell-ringing in Sheffield and Sonning
- The Afro-Caribbean community and the Liverpool Capital of Culture bid
- Gypsy music in France
In addition to conducting fieldwork during the academic school year, several undergraduate students have undertaken summer fieldwork in places as distant as Kenya and Zambia, in preparation for dissertations or postgraduate studies.
In addition to conducting fieldwork during the academic school year, several undergraduate students are currently preparing for summer fieldwork, including in Kenya and Zambia, in preparation for dissertations or postgraduate studies.
Performance opportunities
"There seem to be lots of visiting musicians which is great as you are able to experience new styles. For example, a Japanese flute player gave a workshop."
"Opportunities and experience which have been invaluable, such as meeting musicians and groups from various different countries and the chance to learn instruments which I hadn´t heard of before."
Students gain practical experience in performing music from diverse regions through world music performance modules, tutorials, and workshops led by ethnomusicology staff, postgraduate students, world musicians in residence, and guest musicians. Past world music performance modules and workshops have featured, among others, Northumbrian smallpipes, Korean kayagum, Indian tabla, Zimbabwean mbira, Southern African vocal music, taarab music from Zanzibar, and Ewe music from Ghana. And there is the chance to work regularly with the Department of Music´s current world music artist in residence, Indian tabla and santur performer John Ball. Some students have participated in music lessons and performances with musicians from diverse cultures living in Sheffield, or in world music ensembles within the department, such as the African ensemble Sangano and the Chinese Music Ensemble.